Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has released its annual performance report for 2024. The authority has claimed that it has carried out large-scale operations across Sindh over the past one year to stop illegal constructions under the direction of Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani.
The SBCA claimed that its operations were carried out impartially and without any hindrance in all the districts of Sindh. According to the report, in 2024, more than 1500 illegal constructions were demolished or subjected to other legal actions across Sindh, including seven districts of Karachi.
These efforts resulted in a record number of actions against illegal constructions within a year, the authority said, adding that many of these actions were carried out in compliance with court orders, while also responding to more than 200 legal applications. Resolved.
The SBCA report said that SBCA Director General (DG) Abdul Rasheed Solangi strictly followed Sindh government’s zero tolerance policy against illegal constructions. The report said that in order to maintain transparency, several officers and officials involved in illegal constructions have been suspended and investigations are ongoing in various cases. He claimed that the SBCA has mandated the installation of QR codes at under-construction project sites to ensure legal transparency and provide information about projects.
During 2024, the SBCA approved 2,652 building projects, including housing schemes, and industrial, commercial and residential buildings. The report said the authority introduced a single-window approval system, which ensured timely processing of projects and waived penalties for late payments on industrial projects, restoring public confidence in the authority.
The authority’s spokesperson said that the SBCA technical committee comprising expert construction engineers continued the survey of dangerous and dilapidated buildings in 2024, which resulted in the identification of 743 such buildings, including 591 in Karachi, 81 in Hyderabad, 60 in Sukkur. , seven in Mirpurkhas and four in Larkana.
The committee also conducted timely inspection and prepared reports of buildings affected by accidental fire in Karachi during 2024. The spokesman said that the efforts of the DG of SBCA resolved the long-standing issues such as the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for Grade 14 officers and staff. until 18.
As a result, 72 officers and staff were promoted to higher grades. The previously suspended Hajj scheme was also revived, enabling 17 employees, including seven officers and 10 staff members, to perform Hajj in 2024 with full travel expenses through a transparent draw.
In its commitment to improve public service and improve the department’s image, the SBCA focused on positive initiatives, including beautification projects, the report said. With the support of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) and the district administration, the authority beautified the buildings and streets on both sides of Shaara Faisal, which was well received by the citizens. Inspired by the success of this initiative, a similar beautification plan is underway in Korangi Industrial Area at the request of community representatives.